Headphone amp only with hi Fi phone ?

[scott s]

So what is the real deal using a headphone amp only (no DAC) with a phone that has a hi Fi DAC but only a headphone output (no dedicated line out) ??

 

[ProtegeManiac]

So what is the real deal using a headphone amp only (no DAC) with a phone that has a hi Fi DAC but only a headphone output (no dedicated line out) ??

If the signal sucks out of the headphone output then you're not bypassing the chip/circuit that makes it that way. The only difference the amp can make is it will do a better job of driving the headphone in terms of power. Noise might be lower than with the impedance loads of earphones/headphones, but it can still be there, and the amp will just amplify that as part of the signal since noise rejection on an amp just means it won't add any audible noise to the input signal.

You don't have to use just the amp - just bypass it with USB digital output. Check if your phone can do that on the Android threads.

 

[scott s]

Ya I .Can use USB digital out on my phone. But then I need a USB DAC with amp. Kinda defeats the purpose of buying a phone with a really sweet sounding akm chip. I need more power than the phone can provide.

 

[jimbop54]

If you are confident that your phone is outputting good sound, try am amp and decide if you like it. If not, return the amp.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Ya I .Can use USB digital out on my phone. But then I need a USB DAC with amp. Kinda defeats the purpose of buying a phone with a really sweet sounding akm chip. I need more power than the phone can provide.

If your phone has a good audio chip then why not just pick an IEM that:

1. Has very high sensitivity
2. Has impedance at around 24ohms (minimum 16ohms) to 150ohms

My Aurisonics ASG-1.3 has 125dB/1mW sensitivity and 32ohms. Never walked around with an amp. At home I still use USB output from the Note4 since it's still cleaner than analogue output (I can hear a bit of noise and the tone is off - somewhat like a stuffed tin can unless I keep the volume low and overcompensate at the amp), something you might still encounter with an AKM chip.

 

[scott s]

I am tempted to try the fiio f9 pro Iem's without an amp at the moment.

 

[Cruelhand Luke]

I have a phone with a good chip in it and I also use a Schiit Magni 3 at home. The amp is totally worth it and does improve the sound.

 

[scott s]

Well my girl friend fell in love with my Ath m50x cans on her phone so I am ordering a new set package deal . Ath m50x with fiio a3 amp. I get the a3 for 10 bucks more than what just the cans would cost. The a3 will be better with sensitive iem's also as it's low gain setting is actually just a bit over negative 3db (-3db)